Do you notice that your vehicle pulls to the left or the right, even when the wheel is straight? You’re probably in need of an alignment. Something as natural as driving down dirt roads or over potholes (of which Colorado has many!) can knock your steering out of alignment. And if you take your Jeep or 4×4 off-roading, your steering will need a realignment more frequently than someone’s daily driver.

Cars with manual transmissions use a clutch for the driver to change gears. Over time, the friction material on the clutch’s plate wears down. Like brake pads, the lifetime of a clutch will depend on your driving style. If you suspect your clutch is on the way out, bring it in for service at Bighorn Automotive so you don’t have to use a tow truck when it fails entirely.

Whether your vehicle is a front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, it relies on gears in the differential case to translate the power from the engine, traveling the length of the car through the driveshaft into rotational energy to get the wheels turning. Over time, the lubricative fluid in the differential case will break down or stop functioning, which will need to be flushed and replaced.

The driveline is the system in your car that transfers the energy produced by the engine down the length of your car so it can be translated into rotational energy for the wheels. This is accomplished through a driveshaft or a propeller shaft. Without a functional drivetrain, it’s impossible for the engine’s power to reach the axles. If you go off-road or have lifted your vehicle and changed the driveline geometry, your vehicle’s driveline will be more prone to failure.

Tires are expensive. Whether you have large 35s on your four-wheeler or highway tires on your daily drive, people are always surprised at how much tires cost. The easiest way to prolong tire life and get the best “bang for your buck” is to rotate your tires. Whether your vehicle is rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, the tires on that axle will receive a disproportionate amount of wear compared to the others. Rotating your tires ensures they wear evenly, prolonging their lifespan and giving you a smoother ride.

Your transfer case ensures you have power going to both the front and rear axles. The power goes directly to the rear axle if you have a rear-wheel drive SUV. When you switch to a 4-wheel drive, the transfer case redistributes the engine’s power to both axles. Over time, the coolant and lubricative fluid inside the transfer case must be flushed and replaced.

Get better off-road performance by lifting your truck and upgrading its suspension. The Bighorn Automotive mechanics are truck lovers and know how much better the ride can be with a few inches of lift. If you’re looking to lift your truck, bring it in and we’ll help you “rise” to the occasion!

The U-Joint is a joint or coupling that changes the geometry of your vehicle’s driveline. If you feel an unnatural vibration through your vehicle that is especially bad during acceleration, you might need your u-joint replaced.